Saturday, April 23, 2016

(Read through to the end of the post for a chance to enter Denise's giveaway.)

Sometime back I received an email from Denise Weimer asking if I
would be interested in reading and reviewing a new book she had coming
out soon, White. I read the book blurb, and since I enjoy
learning about new authors decided I would give it a try. Good new is,
I'm glad I did.

White is set in modern
times, but has a back story and rich history set much further back in
time. The book moves at a comfortable pace as the modern-day characters
learn more about themselves and about each other while digging into the
history of the property they are restoring. Many questions arise and
resolve as the story progresses. Faith is an important element of the
journey the characters travel.

Even though the
characters are fictional, there is a historical basis to the story,
This book fits into a category I have come to really enjoy, one where I
can learn history lessons in the setting of an engaging novel.

And
I noticed one little tidbit only we true southerners who have moved a
little ways north can fully appreciate: at WalMart the characters put
their purchases in "buggies," not "carts." That was written by a bona
fide southerner!

The restoration project and characters around which White is
set provide the material for two more stories. I am anxious to get the
chance to read the rest of the story as those books are published.

Thanks to Denise and her publisher for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

As historic preservationist Jennifer and brooding bachelor Michael
restore his ancestors’ historic doctor’s residence in a rural Georgia
community, they uncover the 1920s-era prejudice and secrets that caused
Michael’s branch to fall off the family tree. Reserved recent graduate
Jennifer’s determined to fulfill her first professional position with
integrity even if her employer lacks a proper appreciation of history.
Far more challenging – and sinister – than the social landscape of
Hermon are the strange accidents hinting that someone doesn’t want them
on the Dunham property. Yet Michael’s and Jennifer’s owns pasts pose the
biggest obstacles to laying a fresh foundation of family and community.

Denise Weimer is a native Georgia resident,
writer and history lover. Her four-book, mid-1800s Georgia Gold Series
with Canterbury House Publishing (SAUTEE SHADOWS, THE GRAY DIVIDE, THE
CRIMSON BLOOM, and BRIGHT AS GOLD) combines historical romance with a
touch of mystery. BRIGHT AS GOLD won the 2015 John Esten Cooke award for
Southern literature. New in 2016, the Restoration Trilogy (WHITE,
WIDOW, and WITCH) features a modern, suspenseful romantic over-story of a
historical preservation grad helping a brooding bachelor restore his
family property (house, apothecary and log cabin) with three historical
back stories they uncover from three different centuries. She is also the
author of historical novella REDEEMING GRACE and numerous magazine
articles set in Northeast Georgia. Denise is a wife, swim mom of two
daughters, and for many years directed a vintage dance group. Visit Denise at http://deniseweimerbooks.webs.com/

GIVEAWAY:
In honor of the White Celebration Tour, Denise is giving away a print
copy of WHITE: Book One of The Restoration Trilogy, a $15 Starbucks
card to representing the coffee-loving modern heroine, and a vintage hat
to represent the historical heroine. Click to enter:

Friday, April 15, 2016

Marianne Jantzi's Simple Pleasures provides readers the opportunity for a glimpse into the life of an Amish mother and wife.

Although the author provides some organization of the writings into various aspects of her life, the book is not presented in flowing narrative. Instead, she writes in snippets of information and thoughts, much like she might share in a journal or in conversations with a friend sitting at the table in her kitchen. Joys and challenges of motherhood, details of daily routine, and unexpected events are all mixed in with insights and inspirational thoughts about her Plain life and the God she serves.

If you are looking for a slow, peaceful read with the chance to learn a little about the Amish life from one who lives it every day, Simple Pleasurescould be just the thing for you.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Young Amish homemaker Marianne Jantzi invites readers into her family's life on the snowy plains of Ontario.

The
mother of four young children and wife of a storekeeper, Jantzi writes
about her daily routines and heartfelt faith with equal measures of wit
and warmth. Sewing, cleaning, cooking, gardening, and helping to manage
the store take up most hours in her day, but Jantzi finds time to pen
columns for the Connection, a magazine beloved by Amish and Mennonite
readers across the United States and Canada. Never sugarcoating the
frustrations of motherhood, Jantzi tells it like it is, broken washing
machine and bickering children and all. But through her busy days,
Jantzi finds strength in simplepleasures of family, fellowship with her Amish community, and quiet time with God.

Marianne Jantzi
is an Amish writer and homemaker in Ontario, Canada. Formerly a teacher
in an Amish school, Jantzi now educates and inspires through her
"Northern Reflections" column for The Connection, a magazine directed
mainly to Amish and plain communities across the U.S. and Canada. She
and her husband have four young children and run a shoe store among the
Milverton Amish settlement of Ontario.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Kathleen Fuller's An Unbroken Heart is an excellent addition to her Amish of Birch Creek series.

Kathleen has once again put together a story filled with complex characters with deep emotions. She deals with difficult topics with a good dose of reality, combined with compassion, forgiveness, and healing that come from a strong trust in God.

Fans of great Amish fiction should really enjoy Joanna's story in An Unbroken Heart. This book works fine as a stand alone, but Sadie's story in the first book of the series, A Reluctant Bride, is definitely worth your time as well. I look forward to Abigail's story in the conclusion to this series.

Thanks to Booklook Bloggers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

An argument. A crash. In an instant, Joanna’s world is changed forever.

One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents, and the
next, her parents’ lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident.
Her body is broken, but her heart is in even deeper pain— after all, how
do you cope with your parents’ deaths when your last words were spoken
in anger?

After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna
re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same—not even her feelings
for Andrew Beiler.

Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings
have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants
to get married, but she wonders whether it’s love he’s feeling, or
pity. As the couple’s wedding date approaches, Joanna isn’t overcome
with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she’s wracked with
anxiety and guilt.

Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she’s afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.

If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her
everything she’s ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of
her heart?

About the Author:

Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including A Man of His Wordand Treasuring Emma,
as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield.
Visit her online at www.kathleenfuller.com, Twitter: @TheKatJam, and
Facebook: Kathleen Fuller.

About Me

Faith and family are my highest priorities. My faith is in God. Without His strength for my life -- well I just wouldn't make it! My family includes my pastor husband, an adult son, an adult daughter and son-in-law, and the most precious grandsons and granddaughter there are! I retired after teaching high school math for 34 years.